Container Shipping Conference – Shanghai Agenda Promulgated

Drewry Shipping Consultants estimate that container shipping lines collectively lost $5.2 billion in 2011. To thrive in 2012, the industry will have to tackle declining rates and a potentially chaotic round of mergers and acquisitions. Business leaders will discuss the potential scenarios and predictions for the upcoming year at UBM Global Trade's JOC Container Shipping Conference ShanghaiJune 4-5 at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel.

Some analysts, including SeaIntel's Lars Jensen, believe that container shipping rates have bottomed out and the worst of the declines may have come and gone. Others in the industry anticipate that the largest carriers will continue to build market share and use their financial muscle to drive smaller carriers out of key markets like Asia-Europe, encouraging the continuation of rate freefall.

Speakers from organizations including the Panama Canal Authority, Citi, Maersk Line North America and Drewry Shipping Consultants will explore key issues including the impact of the upcoming canal expansion, the possibility of carrier realignment and consolidation and the unprecedented low ocean freight level on Far-East-North Europe trade.

The meeting will also examine how changes in China's governmental structure will impact hinterland and infrastructure development, and what lessons might be learned from Europe for China's inland waterways.